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In a White Paper published last year, ministers claimed it was necessary 'to go back to the beginning and make sure that it is crystal clear what the prison system exists to deliver, both to everyone who works in and with it and to society beyond'.

However, the resulting statutory purpose of prisons set out in the Prisons and Courts Bill, currently before Parliament, makes no mention of punishment.

Instead, it says: 'Prisons must aim to protect the public, reform and rehabilitate offenders, prepare prisoners for a life outside prison, and maintain an environment that is safe and secure.'

An inmate posted this picture of thick cuts of steak given to prisoners in the Category C jail at HMP Guys Marsh

A picture taken from inside HMP Guys Marsh by inmate Richard Parsons of takeaway burgers and fish and chips, which were smuggled into the jail

In this picture taken by Parsons he boasts of his 'en suite' room at prison, which contains a television. A prisoner was also pictured playing on an Xbox at HMP Guys Marsh, in Dorset

Critics last night said the new legal definition risked the adoption of an even softer regime when conditions at Britain's prisons already appeared to be so lax.

Paul Nuttall, the Ukip leader, said: 'Punishment for wrong-doing and deterring other potential offenders are two absolute bedrock purposes of the prison system.

'For Liz Truss to come up with a mission statement that leaves out both beggars belief and suggests she has had the wool pulled over her eyes by so-called "progressive" penal policy pressure groups.

'By not specifically referencing "punishment" in the statement, it could allow governors further to soften regimes in prisons so that they become more like holiday camps rather than serious corrective institutions.'

The Government last night argued that the 'punishment' for offenders is in depriving them of their liberty, not prison itself.

A briefing paper prepared for MPs by the House of Commons library suggested this reflected the view criminals 'come to prison as punishment and not for punishment'.

Miss Truss said earlier this year: 'The Prisons and Courts Bill is clear that prisons are there to deliver the sentences of the court – depriving people of their liberty to punish them for their crimes.'

A Ministry of Justice spokesman last night said: 'Legislation is already explicit that the purpose of a prison sentence is punishment by the deprivation of liberty.

'What the bill is about is making sure prisons are places of discipline, self-improvement and hard work.

'This includes getting offenders into training and jobs when they leave prison so crime and misery to society is reduced.'

But Philip Davies, a Tory MP, said: 'The purpose of prisons first and foremost should be punishment. The Government should recognise that.

'Leftie liberals think that people having their freedom taken away is a punishment in itself, but to many people it is not.

'All these prisons inspectors come from their seven-bedroom mansions and say 'oh it is pretty dreadful in here'.'